The initial chapter of the Acts of the Apostles recounts the final interactions between the resurrected Jesus and His disciples. It details Jesus’s instruction to remain in Jerusalem and await the Holy Spirit, who will empower them for worldwide evangelism. This chapter culminates in Jesus’s ascension into heaven, witnessed by the disciples. Following the ascension, the apostles return to Jerusalem and, after a period of prayer, initiate the process of selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot.
This narrative segment is foundational as it establishes the transition from Jesus’s earthly ministry to the ministry of the apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit. It marks the beginning of the church age and underscores the divine mandate for spreading the Gospel to all nations. The selection of Matthias to replace Judas demonstrates the early church’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and continuity of the apostolic witness.